Lithium cell with mixed polymer system

ABSTRACT

A lithium cell and method for producing, wherein an electrode contains a first polymer and a separator contains a second polymer having a melting point below that of the first polymer. The first polymer may be the same in the anode and the cathode, or one electrode may contain the first polymer and the other electrode contain a third polymer. The first polymer may be a homopolymer, and the second polymer may be a copolymer, and may contain the first and/or third polymers as components. In one embodiment, the first polymer is polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and the second polymer is PVDF and hexafluoropropylene. The relatively high melting point first and/or first and third polymer(s) permits high temperature drying of the electrodes, which facilitates water removal and thereby increases cell life. It also reduces swelling of the porous structure, which facilitates permeation of the electrolyte.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a method of preparation of lithium cells, in particular lithium ion and lithium ion polymer batteries.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Lithium ion cells and batteries are secondary (i.e., rechargeable) energy storage devices well known in the art. The lithium ion cell, known also as a rocking chair type lithium ion battery, typically comprises essentially a carbonaceous anode (negative electrode) that is capable of intercalating lithium ions, a lithium-retentive cathode (positive electrode) that is also capable of intercalating lithium ions, and a non-aqueous, lithium ion conducting electrolyte therebetween.

[0003] The carbon anode comprises any of the various types of carbon (e.g., graphite, coke, carbon fiber, etc.) which are capable of reversibly storing lithium species, and which are bonded to an electrochemically conductive current collector (e.g. copper foil or grid) by means of a suitable organic binder (e.g., polyvinylidene fluoride, PVdF).

[0004] The cathode comprises such materials as transition metal chalcogenides that are bonded to an electrochemically conductive current collector (e.g., aluminum foil or grid) by a suitable organic binder. Chalcogenide compounds include oxides, sulfides, selenides, and tellurides of such metals as vanadium, titanium, chromium, copper, molybdenum, niobium, iron, nickel, cobalt and manganese. Lithiated transition metal oxides are at present the preferred positive electrode intercalation compounds. Examples of suitable cathode materials include LiMnO₂, LiCoO₂, LiNiO₂, and LiFePO₄, their solid solutions and/or their combination with other metal oxides and dopant elements, e.g., titanium, magnesium, aluminum, boron, etc.

[0005] The electrolyte in such lithium ion cells comprises a lithium salt dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent which may be (1) completely liquid, (2) an immobilized liquid (e.g., gelled or entrapped in a polymer matrix), or (3) a pure polymer. Known polymer matrices for entrapping the electrolyte include polyacrylates, polyurethanes, polydialkylsiloxanes, polymethacrylates, polyphosphazenes, polyethers, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyolefins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, and polycarbonates, and may be polymerized in situ in the presence of the electrolyte to trap the electrolyte therein as the polymerization occurs. Known polymers for pure polymer electrolyte systems include polyethylene oxide (PEO), polymethylene-polyethylene oxide (MPEO), or polyphosphazenes (PPE). Known lithium salts for this purpose include, for example, LiPF₆, LiClO₄, LiSCN, LiAlCl₄, LiBF₄, LiN(CF₃SO₂)₂, LiCF₃SO₃ , LiC(SO₂CF₃)₃, LiO₃SCF₂CF₃, LiC₆F₅SO₃, LiO₂CF₃, LiAsF₆, and LiSbF₆. Known organic solvents for the lithium salts include, for example, alkylcarbonates (e.g., propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate), dialkyl carbonates, cyclic ethers, cyclic esters, glymes, lactones, formates, esters, sulfones, nitrites, and oxazolidinones. The electrolyte is incorporated into pores in a separator layer between the cathode and anode. The separator may be glass mat, for example, containing a small percentage of a polymeric material, or may be any other suitable ceramic or ceramic/polymer material. Silica is a typical main component of the separator layer.

[0006] Lithium-ion cells made from pure polymer electrolytes, or liquid electrolytes entrapped in a polymer matrix, are known in the art as “lithium-ion polymer” cells, and the electrolytes therefore are known as polymeric electrolytes. Lithium-polymer cells are often made by adhering, e.g. by laminating, thin films of the anode, cathode and electrolyte together wherein the electrolyte/separator layer is sandwiched between the anode and cathode layers to form an individual cell, and a plurality of such cells are bundled together to form a higher energy/voltage battery.

[0007] In lithium ion polymer cells, the same polymer is used to adhere the current collector to the electrodes, and to adhere the separator to the electrodes. Use of a copolymer beneficially yields good adhesion of the electrodes to the separator, which is required for optimum ion transfer and cell performance, but reduces any possibility of high-temperature drying of the electrodes, which beneficially removes water. This is because the copolymer has a lower melting point relative to a homopolymer, and thus cannot withstand high-temperature drying as would a homopolymer. Use of a homopolymer beneficially allows for high temperature drying of the electrodes and less swelling within the electrode and separator, desirably retaining the porous structure and thereby allowing electrolyte flow within the entire electrode, but yields reduced adhesion of the electrodes to the separator.

[0008] There is thus a need to develop methods to assemble and produce a lithium cell with polymers that allow high-temperature drying of the electrodes, and with less swelling of the polymer and less resulting loss of electrical conductivity in the electrode, and that also yield good adhesion of the electrodes to the separator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention provides a lithium cell, in particular a lithium ion or lithium ion polymer battery, containing a mixed polymer system. In one embodiment, the cell contains a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator between the first and second electrodes, a first polymer in at least one of the first and second electrodes and, in and/or on the separator, a second polymer that is different from the first polymer and that has a melting point lower than a melting point of the first polymer. If the first polymer is not in both the first and second electrodes, the electrode not containing the first polymer contains a third polymer.

[0010] In another embodiment, the cell contains a homopolymer in the electrodes, and a copolymer in and/or on the separator. In this embodiment, the homopolymer may be polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) and the copolymer may be PVdF-hexafluoropropylene (HFP), but other homopolymers and copolymers are included within the scope of the invention where the homopolymer has a higher melting or softening point relative to the copolymer.

[0011] The polymers in the electrodes, which may be the same or may be different, effects good adhesion of the electrodes to the separator which, in turn, facilitates optimum binding of the layers for ion transfer. The polymers in the electrodes also allows the electrodes to be dried at elevated temperatures, which beneficially removes water from the cell, such as water that is entrained in the cathode active material and/or anode active material.

[0012] The present invention also provides a method of producing a lithium cell containing a mixed polymer system. An electrode containing a first polymer therein, and a separator containing a second polymer having a melting or softening point below that of the first polymer, is provided. In one embodiment, the first polymer is PVdF and the second polymer is a copolymer of PVdF-HFP.

[0013] The present invention also provides a method for adhering a film on an electrode having a current collector in a lithium cell by providing a first polymer in at least one of the electrodes. In one embodiment, the first polymer is PVdF. The method also reduces swelling in the electrodes, thus retaining a porous structure permitting flow of electrolyte throughout the entire electrode.

[0014] The present invention also provides a method for adhering a separator and electrodes in a lithium ion polymer battery by providing a second polymer having a melting or softening point below that of a first polymer, in and/or on the separator and a first polymer in at least one of the electrodes. In one embodiment, the first polymer is PVdF and the second polymer is a copolymer of PVdF-HFP.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The present invention provides a lithium cell, more particularly a lithium ion polymer battery, containing a mixed polymer system. The cell contains a first polymer, which may be a homopolymer, as an adhesive in at least one of the electrodes, and a second polymer that has a melting or softening point below that of the first polymer, and which may be a copolymer, as an adhesive in and/or on the separator. In an exemplary embodiment, a first polymer is present in one electrode, and either the same first polymer or a different third polymer is present in the other electrode. A second polymer may be one polymer that has a melting point lower than that of the first polymer, or may be a copolymer or a mixed polymer which is produced by blending or co-polymerization of two or more substances (e.g., copolymers, terpolymers, etc.) at the same time. The copolymer may or may not include, as one of its component polymers, the first polymer and/or the third polymer. The first and second electrodes may further contain a plasticizer along with the polymer. For examples, plasticizers may be propylene carbonate, phthalic acid diesters, adipic acid diesters, acetic acid esters, organic phosphates, trimellitic acid triesters, and combinations thereof.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first polymer in the anode and cathode is polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF), and the second polymer in and/or on the separator layer is a PVDF-hexafluoropropylene (HFP) copolymer. However, other embodiments are also included within the scope of the invention. For example, the first polymer in the anode need not be the polymer in the cathode. The separator layer may contain a second polymer which is a copolymer of the homopolymer in the anode and/or cathode and at least one additional polymer, or it may contain one or more different polymers, or it may contain a homopolymer used in the anode but not used in the cathode and at least one additional polymer, or it may contain a polymer used in the cathode but not used in the anode and at least one additional polymer. Thus any combination may be used in which the melting or softening point of the second polymer in and/or on the separator is below the melting or softening point(s) of the first and/or first and third polymer(s) in the electrodes. As used herein, the term melting point also encompasses the softening point for polymers which soften, rather than melt, upon heating. In one embodiment, the temperature difference between the first and/or first and third polymer(s) and second polymer is at least 2° C.

[0017] Examples of materials that may be used as either first polymers and/or first and third polymers, or as a component of a copolymer of a second polymer include, but are not limited to, polymers, copolymers, and mixtures of PVdF, polyvinylidene chloride fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylchloride acetates, polyacrylonitriles, polyfluoroethylenes and propylenes, polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, acrylic or maleic acid modified polyethylene or polypropylene, polyvinyl alcohols, polyglycols, polyacetates, polyesters, polyacrylates, polycarbonates, polyethylene oxides and polypropylene oxides, polyacrylic acid esters, cellulose acetate and butyrate, nylons, polyurethanes, polyterephthalates, and polystyrenes. These materials may be obtained from commercial sources, as known to one skilled in the art.

[0018] The first polymer in at least one of the electrodes, and advantageously in each electrode as either the same polymer or a third polymer, provides good adhesion of the current collector to the electrode, and its low swelling retains a porous structure for ion transfer. The first polymer, and/or first and third polymers, has or have a high melting point relative to the second polymer. This difference in melting point permits the first and/or first and third polymer(s) to withstand the elevated temperatures needed to dry the electrodes without decomposition. Because water is a major impurity which contributes to increased cell impedance, it is desirable to remove as much water as possible to enhance cell performance and cell capacity. However, water may be superficially included in the cell components, as well as relatively tightly entrained in or bound to the active material, for example, a cathode active material such as LiMnO₂, LiCoO₂, LiNiO₂, and LiFePO₄, their solid solutions and/or their combination with other metal oxides and dopant elements, e.g., titanium, magnesium, aluminum, boron, etc. An anode active material, such as natural and synthetic carbons, tin oxides, titanium oxides, their solid solutions and/or their combination with other metal oxides and dopant elements. Drying the electrodes at elevated temperatures is needed to remove entrained water, but elevated temperatures may also decompose elements of the cell. Advantageously, the first and/or first and third polymer(s) is/are stable to decomposition at elevated temperatures.

[0019] The second polymer in and/or on the separator has a lower melting or softening point relative to the first polymer or the first and third polymers. In one embodiment, the difference in melting or softening points is at least 2° C. If the second polymer is a copolymer that includes the first polymer and/or third polymer used in one or both of the electrodes as one of its components, the other polymer or polymers in the copolymer have a melting or softening point below that of the first polymer and below that of the third polymer. The second polymer is compatible with the first polymer and third polymer in that it bonds sufficiently with them to form a cell.

[0020] The second polymer may be applied to the separator as a coating using methods known to one skilled in the art, and may be part of the coating material. The coating may include fumed silica, or may contain the second polymer alone. The second polymer may be coated on another polymer Any coating process known to one skilled in the art may be used, such as spray coating, dip coating, direct application, indirect application, etc. The second polymer may be incorporated within the separator, for example, by solution casting, or may be sprayed directly onto the polymer surfaces of the electrodes.

[0021] While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of an embodiment thereof, and while the embodiment has been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope or spirit of applicant's general inventive concept. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A lithium cell comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator therebetween; a first polymer in at least one of the first and second electrodes; and a separator comprising a second polymer different from the first polymer and having a melting point lower than a melting point of the first polymer.
 2. The cell of claim 1 wherein the second polymer is in the separator, on the separator, or both in and on the separator.
 3. The cell of claim 1, wherein the first polymer is in the first and second electrodes.
 4. The cell of claim 3, wherein the first polymer is in either the first or second electrode and a third polymer is in the electrode not containing the first polymer.
 5. The cell of claim 1, wherein the first polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylchloride acetates, polyacrylonitriles, polyfluoroethylenes, polyfluoropropylenes, polyolefins, acrylic acid modified polyethylene, maleic acid modified polyethylene, acrylic acid modified polypropylene, maleic acid modified polypropylene, polyvinyl alcohols, polyglycols, polyacetates, polyesters, polyacrylates, polycarbonates, polyethylene oxides, polypropylene oxides, polyacrylic acid esters, cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate, nylons, polyurethanes, polyterephthalates, and polystyrenes.
 6. The cell of claim 4, wherein the third polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylchloride acetates, polyacrylonitriles, polyfluoroethylenes, polyfluoropropylenes, polyolefins, acrylic acid modified polyethylene, maleic acid modified polyethylene, acrylic acid modified polypropylene, maleic acid modified polypropylene, polyvinyl alcohols, polyglycols, polyacetates, polyesters, polyacrylates, polycarbonates, polyethylene oxides, polypropylene oxides, polyacrylic acid esters, cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate, nylons, polyurethanes, polyterephthalates, and polystyrenes.
 7. The cell of claim 1, wherein the second polymer has at least one component selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylchloride acetates, polyacrylonitriles, polyfluoroethylenes, polyfluoropropylenes, polyolefins, acrylic acid modified polyethylene, maleic acid modified polyethylene, acrylic acid modified polypropylene, maleic acid modified polypropylene, polyvinyl alcohols, polyglycols, polyacetates, polyesters, polyacrylates, polycarbonates, polyethylene oxides, polypropylene oxides, polyacrylic acid esters, cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate, nylons, polyurethanes, polyterephthalates, polystyrenes, and combinations thereof.
 8. The cell of claim 1, wherein the first polymer is polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and the second polymer comprises PVDF and hexafluoropropylene (HFP).
 9. A lithium cell comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator therebetween; a homopolymer in at least one of the first and second electrodes; and a separator comprising a copolymer, the copolymer having a melting point lower than a melting point of the homopolymer.
 10. The cell of claim 9 wherein the copolymer is in the separator, on the separator, or both in and on the separator.
 11. The cell of claim 9, wherein the first electrode is an anode and the second electrode is a cathode.
 12. The cell of claim 11, wherein the homopolymer in the anode and the cathode is the same.
 13. The cell of claim 11, wherein the homopolymer in the anode and the cathode is different.
 14. The cell of claim 9, wherein the homopolymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylchloride acetates, polyacrylonitriles, polyfluoroethylenes, polyfluoropropylenes, polyolefins, acrylic acid modified polyethylene, maleic acid modified polyethylene, acrylic acid modified polypropylene, maleic acid modified polypropylene, polyvinyl alcohols, polyglycols, polyacetates, polyesters, polyacrylates, polycarbonates, polyethylene oxides, polypropylene oxides, polyacrylic acid esters, cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate, nylons, polyurethanes, polyterephthalates, and polystyrenes.
 15. The cell of claim 9, wherein the copolymer has at least one component selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylchloride acetates, polyacrylonitriles, polyfluoroethylenes, polyfluoropropylenes, polyolefins, acrylic acid modified polyethylene, maleic acid modified polyethylene, acrylic acid modified polypropylene, maleic acid modified polypropylene, polyvinyl alcohols, polyglycols, polyacetates, polyesters, polyacrylates, polycarbonates, polyethylene oxides, polypropylene oxides, polyacrylic acid esters, cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate, nylons, polyurethanes, polyterephthalates, polystyrenes, and combinations thereof.
 16. The cell of claim 9, wherein the homopolymer is polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and the copolymer comprises PVDF and hexafluoropropylene (HFP).
 17. The cell of claim 9, wherein the copolymer is directly coated on the separator.
 18. The cell of claim 17, wherein the copolymer is indirectly coated on the separator.
 19. A lithium cell comprising at least first and second electrodes, each comprising a homopolymer, a separator layer between said first and second electrodes, the separator layer comprising a copolymer of at least two components, wherein at least one component in the copolymer is the homopolymer.
 20. The cell of claim 19, wherein the homopolymer is polyvinylidene fluoride.
 21. The cell of claim 19, wherein the homopolymer in the first and second electrodes is the same.
 22. The cell of claim 19, wherein the copolymer is in the separator layer, on the separator layer, or both in and on the separator layer.
 23. A battery cell comprising a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer, each comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of a first polymer and a third polymer; a separator layer comprising a second polymer that has a melting point below that of the first polymer and below that of the third polymer, the separator layer between the first and second electrode layers and having a first electrode-contacting surface and a second electrode-contacting surface; a first current collector layer adjacent the first electrode layer at a surface opposite its separator-contacting surface, and a second current collector layer adjacent the second electrode layer at a surface opposite its separator-contacting surface; wherein the first and second electrode layers are each adhered to the separator layer at their respective first and second electrode-contacting surfaces, and the first and second current collector layers are each adhered to their respective first and second electrodes at the surfaces opposite their respective separator-contacting surfaces.
 24. The battery cell of claim 23, wherein the polymer in the first and second electrodes is different.
 25. The battery cell of claim 23, wherein the first current collector layer comprises copper and the first electrode layer is an anode.
 26. The battery cell of claim 23, wherein the second current collector layer comprises aluminum and the second electrode layer is a cathode.
 27. A method of producing a lithium cell comprising providing at least one anode and one cathode, the anode and cathode each comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of a first polymer and a third polymer, providing a separator layer comprising a second polymer having a melting point below that of the first polymer and the third polymer, and providing the separator layer between the anode and the cathode under conditions sufficient to adhere the anode and cathode to the separator to form a cell.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the polymer in the anode and the cathode is the same.
 29. The method of claim 27, wherein the polymer in the anode and the cathode is different.
 30. The method of claim 27, wherein the polymer in the anode and cathode is selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylchloride acetates, polyacrylonitriles, polyfluoroethylenes, polyfluoropropylenes, polyolefins, acrylic acid modified polyethylene, maleic acid modified polyethylene, acrylic acid modified polypropylene, maleic acid modified polypropylene, polyvinyl alcohols, polyglycols, polyacetates, polyesters, polyacrylates, polycarbonates, polyethylene oxides, polypropylene oxides, polyacrylic acid esters, cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate, nylons, polyurethanes, polyterephthalates, and polystyrenes.
 31. The method of claim 27, wherein at least one component in the second polymer contains at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylchloride acetates, polyacrylonitriles, polyfluoroethylenes, polyfluoropropylenes, polyolefins, acrylic acid modified polyethylene, maleic acid modified polyethylene, acrylic acid modified polypropylene, maleic acid modified polypropylene, polyvinyl alcohols, polyglycols, polyacetates, polyesters, polyacrylates, polycarbonates, polyethylene oxides, polypropylene oxides, polyacrylic acid esters, cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate, nylons, polyurethanes, polyterephthalates, polystyrenes, and combinations thereof.
 32. The method of claim 27, wherein the first polymer is polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and the second polymer is a copolymer comprising PVDF and hexafluoropropylene.
 33. The method of claim 27, wherein the conditions comprise heating to a temperature sufficient to dry the electrodes and cause the second polymer to adhere the separator layer to the electrodes.
 34. The method of claim 27, wherein the cell formed is a lithium ion polymer battery.
 35. A method of producing a lithium cell comprising providing at least one anode comprising a first polymer, providing at least one cathode comprising a third polymer, providing a separator comprising a second polymer having a melting point below that of the first polymer and the third polymer, and providing the separator between the anode and the cathode under conditions sufficient to form a cell.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the second polymer is on the separator, in the separator, or both in and on the separator.
 37. The method of claim 35, wherein the first polymer and the third polymer are selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylchloride acetates, polyacrylonitriles, polyfluoroethylenes, polyfluoropropylenes, polyolefins, acrylic acid modified polyethylene, maleic acid modified polyethylene, acrylic acid modified polypropylene, maleic acid modified polypropylene, polyvinyl alcohols, polyglycols, polyacetates, polyesters, polyacrylates, polycarbonates, polyethylene oxides, polypropylene oxides, polyacrylic acid esters, cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate, nylons, polyurethanes, polyterephthalates, and polystyrenes.
 38. The method of claim 35, wherein at least one component in the second polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylchloride acetates, polyacrylonitriles, polyfluoroethylenes, polyfluoropropylenes, polyolefins, acrylic acid modified polyethylene, maleic acid modified polyethylene, acrylic acid modified polypropylene, maleic acid modified polypropylene, polyvinyl alcohols, polyglycols, polyacetates, polyesters, polyacrylates, polycarbonates, polyethylene oxides, polypropylene oxides, polyacrylic acid esters, cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate, nylons, polyurethanes, polyterephthalates, polystyrenes, and combinations thereof.
 39. The method of claim 35, wherein the at least one of the first and third polymers is polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and the second polymer is a copolymer comprising PVDF and hexafluoropropylene.
 40. The method of claim 35, wherein the conditions comprise heating to a temperature sufficient to dry the anode and the cathode and cause the second polymer to adhere the separator layer between the anode and the cathode.
 41. The method of claim 35, wherein the cell is a lithium ion polymer battery.
 42. A method for adhering a current collector film on an electrode in a lithium cell, comprising providing a polyvinylidene fluoride homopolymer to the electrode under conditions sufficient to adhere the film to the electrode.
 43. The method of claim 42, wherein the current collector film comprises copper and the electrode is an anode.
 44. The method of claim 42, wherein the current collector film comprises aluminum and the electrode is a cathode.
 45. The method of claim 42, further comprising providing a polyvinylidene fluoride polymer to a second electrode and providing a second current collector film under conditions sufficient to adhere the second film to the second electrode, providing a separator layer comprising a second polymer having a melting point below that of polyvinylidene fluoride between the first and second electrodes, and providing conditions sufficient to result in the polyvinylidene fluoride polymer and the second polymer adhering the layers to form a cell.
 46. The method of claim 43, wherein the cell is a lithium ion-polymer battery.
 47. A method to minimize swelling of a polymer in an electrode of a lithium cell having a separator layer between a first electrode and a second electrode, the method comprising providing a polymer selected from the group consisting of a first polymer and a third polymer in the first and second electrodes, providing a second polymer having a melting point below a melting point of the first polymer and the third polymer, and providing conditions sufficient to adhere the separator and the electrodes.
 48. The method of claim 47, wherein at least one of the first and the third polymers is polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and the second polymer is a copolymer comprising PVdF and hexafluoropropylene.
 49. The method of claim 47, wherein the second polymer is in the separator, on the separator, or both in and on the separator.
 50. In a lithium cell containing a first and a second electrode with a separator therebetween, a method for adhering the separator with at least one electrode comprising providing polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) to at least one electrode, providing a copolymer comprising PVdF and hexafluoropropylene to the separator, and providing conditions sufficient to adhere the separator and the electrode.
 51. In the lithium cell of claim 50, wherein the copolymer is in the separator, on the separator, or both in and on the separator.
 52. A method of preparing a battery cell comprising providing a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer, each comprising a homopolymer; heating the electrode layers at a temperature below a melting point of the homopolymer to dry the electrode layers; providing a separator layer between the first and second electrode layers, wherein the separator layer comprises a copolymer, the separator layer having a first electrode layer-contacting surface and a second electrode layer-contacting surface; providing a first current collector layer adjacent the first electrode layer at a surface opposite its separator-layer contacting surface, and a second current collector layer adjacent the second electrode layer at a surface opposite its separatorlayer contacting surface; providing conditions sufficient to adhere the layers, whereby the homopolymer binder adheres the current collectors to the respective first and second electrode layers, and the copolymer adheres the separator layer to the first and second electrode layers.
 53. The method of claim 52, wherein the homopolymer is PVDF, the copolymer is PVDF and hexafluoropropylene.
 54. The method of claim 52, wherein the copolymer is in the separator, on the separator, or both in and on the separator.
 55. A method of preparing a battery cell, comprising providing a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer, each layer comprising a homopolymer binder; drying the electrode layers at a temperature wherein a melting point of the homopolymer is above the drying temperature; placing a separator layer between the first and second layers, wherein the separator layer comprises a copolymer; placing a current collector layer adjacent a surface of each of the first and second electrode layers opposite the separator layer; and adhering the layers together, whereby the homopolymer binder adheres the current collector layers to the respective first and second electrode layers and the copolymer adheres the separator layer to the first and second electrode layers.
 56. The method of claim 55, wherein the homopolymer is polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF), and the copolymer is PVDF and hexafluoropropylene.
 57. The method of claim 55, wherein the copolymer is in the separator layer, on the separator layer, or both in and on the separator layer.
 58. In a lithium cell, a method of bonding an anode to a separator and an anode current collector, and of binding a cathode to the separator and a cathode current collector, the method comprising providing a homopolymer in the anode and the cathode, providing a copolymer to the separator positioned between the anode and the cathode, heating the anode, cathode, and separator positioned therebetween at a temperature below a melting point of the homopolymer sufficient to dry the anode and the cathode and to result in the copolymer adhering the anode, cathode, and separator.
 59. The method of claim 58, wherein the copolymer is in the separator, on the separator, or both in and on the separator.
 60. The method of claim 5 8, wherein the homopolymer is polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF), and the copolymer comprises PVDF and hexafluoropropylene.
 61. The method of claim 58, wherein the homopolymer in the anode and cathode is the same.
 62. The method of claim 58, wherein the homopolymer in the anode and cathode is different.
 63. The method of claim 58, wherein the cell is a lithium ion polymer battery. 